Diet Information

POTASSIUM

Potassium is a mineral. Healthy kidneys maintain a normal balance by eliminating any excess potassium in the urine. Diseased kidneys are unable to get rid of the potassium
adequately. Consequently, the amount of potassium in the blood may increase to dangerously
elevated levels. This may cause an irregular heartbeat and occur without any warning. High
levels of potassium can even cause the heart to stop.

The dialysis patient needs to maintain a level of potassium in the blood, between 3.5 and
5.5 milliequivalents per liter. It is easier for the patient who still urinates to control potassium.
The following is a list of high potassium foods which should either be avoided or
carefully included into your diet by working with the renal dietician. Remember these are average values. The size of the portion is the secret of the diet, as almost all foods have
potassium. Please pay particular attention to your monthly blood levels of potassium. Your diet
is usually limited to around 2000 milligrams per day.

FOOD AND MILLIGRAMS OF POTASSIUM

Anon, ½ cup 279

Orange, Fresh, 1 medium 263

Apricots, Canned ½ cup 302

Orange Juice, ½ cup 241

Artichoke, 1 cooked 301

Peanut Butter, 3 ½ tbsp 410

Avocado, cubed ½ cup 453

Peanuts, ½ cup 485

Baked Beans, 1 cup 630

Potato, baked 1 medium 782

Black-eyed Peas, ½ cup canned 352

Potato, instant mashed ½ cup 300

Broccoli, 1 stalk 382

Potato, French fries 10 427

Brussel Sprouts, 6-8 cooked 273

Potato, Sweet, 1 sm. baked 300

Calabaza, winter squash ½ cup 337

Prune Juice, ½ cup 350

Cantaloupe, ½ 684

Prunes, 10 745

Carrots, raw, 1 large 341

Red Kidney Beans, ½ cup 340

Coconut Milk, ½ cup 232

Salt, Light 1 tsp. 1500

Cream of Pea Soup, 1 cup 377

Salt-Substitute, 1 tsp. 2800

Cream of Tomato Soup, 1 can 450

Spinach, ½ cup cooked 291

Figs, dried 5 666

Tangelo, 1 medium 296

Filet Mignon Steak, 8 oz 1089

Tomato, canned 1 cup 523

Grapefruit Juice, ½ cup 200

Tomato, fresh 1 medium 300

Hershey’s Kisses, 10 174

Tomato Juice, ½ cup 552

Honeydew Melon, 1 cup cubed 427

Tomato Paste, ½ cup 1110

Lentils, cooked 2/3 cup 250

V-8 Juice, ½ cup 264

Lima Beans, ½ cup 420

Watercress, ½ cup 335

Milk, evaporated, 1 cup 752

Yogurt, fruit flavored 1 cup 402

Milk, whole or skim, 1 cup 350

Yucca, ½ cup 260

Molasses, 2 tbsp. 600

Nectarine, 1 medium 288

POTASSIUM MODIFIED DIET
In general, canned fruits and vegetables are lower in potassium than fresh or frozen. The
following is a list of various foods that are high in potassium and should be avoided.